Free app blocks scammers from calling you

GREESNBORO, N.C. - So many of us have been targeted by phone scammers especially by scammers pretending to be from the IRS saying you owe money. In fact, Consumer Reports says Americans lost more than $7 billion last year to this and other phone scams.

With a few clicks on your phone, you could stop people from targeting you – by downloading the Hiya app.

It analysis phone numbers as the call comes in – to warn you if it's from a potential scammer.

“There's quite a bit of technology involved in figuring out who the bad guys are,” said Hiya’s Jan Volzke.

For example, if a phone number is calling thousands of people at the same time and the calls are typically only lasting a few minutes or seconds, it sends up a red flag. The app also tracks user reviews where people can report numbers which targeted them. And if you don't want to be bothered at all by possible scammers:

"You can also activate an auto blocking function which works in a way where you're not even seeing these calls. They get blocked automatically,” Volzke said.